'Is that your daughter/son? Can you introduce me?'

astarot/Shutterstock

Avoid hitting on your coworkers' relatives. It's awkward and it won't end well.

"Be careful about jokes or crude remarks," Rebecca Henderson, global group president of HR firm Randstad Sourceright, told Business Insider. "There is nothing like your colleague asking to be introduced to your daughter that really makes the night and subsequent days at work uncomfortable."

'Love your outfit! You should really dress like that more at work'

Stock Rocket/Shutterstock

"Give a compliment that is appropriate and won't make a coworker uncomfortable," TriNet director of human capital services Jackie Breslin told Business Insider. "A fair number of workplace complaints regarding inappropriate conduct have an origin at the company holiday party."

CEO of HR consulting firm OperationsInc. David Lewis agrees, noting that even statements as simple as "You look great" can come across as creepy. "Avoid anything that suggests anything sexual in lieu of the word 'great,'" he told Business Insider.

'I love working for your wife! By the way, do you think she'll give me that promotion?'

Now is not the time to try to butter up your boss' significant other and learn about your bonus, stock options, or promotion.

"Oftentimes, I find that employees' spouses or partners will ask me about opportunities for advancement or raise issues of concern at a holiday party," SAP software company executive vice president of HR Brigette McInnis-Day told Business Insider. "This is always uncomfortable, but even more so during a fun social event which is meant for people to relax and connect."

'It doesn't seem like you're okay to drive. I'll drive you back!'

It's obviously important to make sure any intoxicated coworkers aren't hitting the road.

However, if you're not sure about a colleague's level of intoxication, you don't want to sound overbearing.

"Instead, try, 'I hate driving home after a party, don't you? Let's call it a night and call an Uber,'" "All the Leader You Can Be" author Suzanne Bates told Business Insider."If alcohol is served, the one thing you don't want to say is 'Can I drive you home?'"

'Let's just hang out by the food'

"Holiday parties can feel overwhelming, especially if you work in a large office, but resist the urge to only hang out with the people you spend most of your time with during the work day," Glaser said.

Instead, mix and mingle.

'Did you get your bonus yet?'

Sellwell/Shutterstock

Avoid talking about money at all costs.

McDonald said that bonuses can be a particularly sensitive topic, especially because it's possible that not everyone in your company is getting a bonus this year.

'I'm quitting!'

"You should be careful not to divulge sensitive information or start conversations that should be had in a highly professional setting," she said. "(A) holiday party is not the appropriate environment to share such information with your peers or your supervisor."

'Let's spike the eggnog'

"At work parties, while there are many things to avoid doing in general (drunken karaoke being high on that list in my experience), there are also things that are particularly unappealing to specific individuals based on their different working styles," she told Business Insider. "So don't say 'shall we spike that eggnog' to someone who doesn't like to break the rules."

'Everything's going pretty well in our department ...'

Pressmaster/Shutterstock

Many of the professionals Business Insider spoke to agreed on one thing: Work is a major topic to be avoided at the office holiday party.

Maestro Health CEO Rob Butler said to treat the festivities as a chance to get to know colleagues on a more personal level. "Encourage your employees to turn off 'work-mode' and learn about their coworkers' passions and hobbies," he said.

Joe Weinlick, senior vice president at career network Beyond, explained that discussions revolving around work can make people feel uncomfortable.

"Never ask, 'When will that project be finished?' at your holiday party," Weinlick told Business Insider. "The holiday party should be a fun event free from the stress of the job. Save shop talk for when you're back in the office."

So, if you can't talk about work with your colleagues, what should you talk about? LinkedIn career expert Catherine Fisher recommended doing some research in order to get the conversation flowing.